A Building Owner’s Guide from Resolute Elevator

Elevator maintenance contracts are one of the most important—but least understood—documents building owners sign.

Property managers and building owners often review dozens of service agreements every year. Between legal language, technical terminology, and long contract terms, elevator service contracts can quickly become just another document to approve and file away.

It’s a bit like signing up for a new software platform for your business. You scroll through pages of terms and conditions, check the “I agree” box, and move forward assuming everything is covered. The system works, invoices arrive, and everything seems fine—until a problem appears and the fine print suddenly matters.

Elevator maintenance agreements can work the same way. The contract you sign determines how often your elevator is serviced, what repairs are covered, and how much flexibility you have if service quality changes.

At Resolute Elevator, we believe building owners should clearly understand what they are signing. Below are five critical things every building owner should know before signing an elevator maintenance contract.

1. Scheduled Elevator Maintenance Visits

Scheduled maintenance determines how often an elevator technician visits your building to inspect, adjust, and maintain your equipment.

In the past, the industry standard was one maintenance visit per month. Today, many elevator service contracts have evolved—and not always in favor of the building owner.

Some contracts no longer specify the number of visits at all. That means a building owner could be paying a monthly maintenance fee but only see a technician quarterly or even less frequently.

When reviewing an elevator maintenance agreement, always confirm:

• The number of scheduled service visits

• What work is included during each visit

• Whether visits are guaranteed or “as needed”

Once the contract begins, someone on your team should occasionally check the elevator maintenance log to confirm visits are happening as promised.

One building owner we worked with even changed the machine room key so she could track exactly when the technician arrived. It quickly revealed the service frequency didn’t match the contract.

2. Elevator Maintenance Contract Length

Many elevator service providers encourage long-term contracts. The idea is simple: longer contracts may come with lower monthly pricing.

Sometimes that works well—but not always.

Before signing an elevator maintenance agreement, compare:

• Contract length

• Monthly service cost

• Repair coverage

• Cancellation terms

A long-term contract can lock in pricing, but it also limits flexibility. If service quality declines, the building owner may have limited options until the agreement expires.

On the other hand, when one company maintains the same equipment for years, they often develop a deeper understanding of the system and may be more proactive about preventative maintenance.

For most buildings, the best approach is a balanced contract with a trusted elevator service provider, rather than a one-year agreement or a ten-year commitment.

3. Automatic Renewal Clauses

Most elevator maintenance contracts include an automatic renewal clause.

These clauses are intended to prevent a lapse in service if the contract expires unexpectedly. However, they often create problems for building owners.

Many elevator service agreements require cancellation 90 days before the contract end date. If the building owner misses that deadline, the contract automatically renews for another full term—often with an annual price increase.

To avoid this situation, many experienced building managers submit a formal cancellation notice early, even if the contract still has time remaining.

Sending the notice by certified mail and keeping documentation on file ensures the building owner maintains the option to renegotiate the agreement when the contract term ends.

At Resolute Elevator, we always encourage building owners to stay aware of contract renewal timelines so they remain in control of their elevator service agreements.

4. What an Elevator Maintenance Contract Covers

One of the most common frustrations building owners experience is discovering that a needed repair is not included in the maintenance agreement.

Elevator service contracts can vary widely in what they cover.

When reviewing a contract, check whether major elevator components are included, such as:

• Hoist ropes

• Elevator motors

• Hydraulic tanks and jacks

• Traveling cables

• Pumps

• Controllers

Understanding exactly what is included allows building owners to compare elevator maintenance contracts accurately when evaluating service providers.

5. Elevator Maintenance Contract Exclusions

No elevator maintenance agreement covers every possible repair.

That is why it is just as important to understand what the contract excludes.

Common exclusions include:

• Vandalism or misuse

• Proprietary elevator components

• Machine room walls and doors

• Obsolete elevator parts

• Buried hydraulic piping

• Power supply or electrical fluctuations

Sometimes the smallest issues can cause the biggest problems. For example, elevators frequently stop operating because of something as simple as a small pebble stuck in the door sill track. In many cases, those service calls are not covered under maintenance agreements.

Understanding exclusions ahead of time prevents unexpected repair bills later.

Choosing the Right Elevator Service Partner

Elevator systems are complex machines, and the contracts that maintain them can be equally complicated.

For building owners, reviewing an elevator maintenance contract carefully before signing can help prevent unexpected costs, service gaps, and long-term frustrations.

Working with an experienced elevator service provider can also help building owners evaluate contract terms, maintenance schedules, and repair coverage before committing to a long-term agreement.

At Resolute Elevator, we focus on transparent elevator maintenance agreements that prioritize safety, reliability, and clear communication with building owners.

Understanding your elevator service contract today can help ensure reliable elevator performance—and fewer surprises—tomorrow.